Volkswagen Polo Performance

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Owner reviews

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Auto Express's performance ratings are based on our Driver Power survey of over 30,000 car owners.
Ratings are the average for all owners of this car who responded. Individual owners’ ratings and comments appear below.

2002-reg Diesel, Owner for 3 to 5 years

I owned 4 vw polo's since 2004 and it has never let me down. the polo engines are as touch as nails. it has excellent accelaration and torque especially when travelling up mountain passes. with reliability like this all you have to do is treat her well. it offers good driving pleasure and road handling seems superior to other hatchbacks for it's size. the interior feels very spacious and really comfortable. I would find it really hard to switch to another brand. Running costs are down to the normal services, insurance, mot and licencing.

Performance: 5/5Braking: 3/5Handling: 3/5

1999-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Gets me from a to b and most importantly back to a! it has its gremlins, but it flew through its mot, no probs, although it is regularly serviced. Needed a new sunroof seal, had to buy from vw, sharp intake of breath...ł60 I was chuffed. took the sting out of the fact that the seal went in a car wash (I was washed and waxed as well as the car), bought a hot wash and that water was freezing, still feel cheated by total. other than that only costs has been replacing brakes, tyres...usual things :).

Performance: 3/5Braking: 4/5Handling: 4/5

Other-reg Petrol, Owner for More than 5 years

My car is one of a kind. Not made any more, quite old but I love it & wouldn't trade it for anything! It's as individual as I am & if I come into some serious cash I will no doubt spend a huge amount on her (the car). I've had numerous compliments & offers to sell but I'm not interested & I really wouldn't need another car either...unless I become really rich, buy a house overseas, then I would need to hunt down another one of these babies. I love it :)

Performance: 5/5Braking: 2/5Handling: 5/5

T-reg Petrol, Owner for Less than a year

Bought as a cheap runaround after writing off my previous car. Does its job every day, getting me to work and back! Ten years old but doesn't miss a bit engine wise. Gearbox isn't the best and there are a few creaks and rattles contrary to the build quality claims of VW. Handling is also a downside after owning a Ford Puma! Overall, I am happy with my Polo though as it does exactly what it says on the tin!

Performance: 4/5Braking: 4/5Handling: 2/5

T-reg Petrol, Owner for More than 5 years

I think that for a small car (1.4) it is comfortable, the performance is good and the build quality is second to none. In the ten (nearly eleven) years that I have owned this car, I have replaced two tail pipes, a starter motor, front discs and rear wheel bearings. It has never let me down. Every morning I turn the key ( original battery) and it starts first time.

Performance: 5/5Braking: 5/5Handling: 5/5

52-reg Petrol, Owner for More than 5 years

Has been reliable overall and comfortable but with some niggles (rear-wash persistently fails and leaks into boot, which causes condensation). Poor and squeeky brakes from new; suspension now squeeky. Overall reasonably satisfied for seven-year-old car but probably no better than many others of this age without the VW premium cost.

Performance: 3/5Braking: 2/5Handling: 3/5

2011-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

It's only a year old and so far perfect. Even though I only use v power, fuel costs are reasonable for the performance, slight thirst for oil with the gti's 1.4 so you have to top up, but not bad.

Performance: 5/5Braking: 3/5Handling: 4/5

2003-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Great car no oil use. great breaks. never let me down . starts first time every time. Cost are ok due to petrol prices at minit. fule econamey will be a lot more on longer journeys.

Performance: 5/5Braking: 5/5Handling: 5/5

T-reg Petrol, Owner for More than 5 years

Generally happy with it but now showing its age. Now too basic with few mod-cons (eg no electric windows, CD player or power steering). Poor acceleration and pulling power.

Performance: 3/5Braking: 4/5Handling: 3/5

52-reg , Owner for 3 to 5 years

Very economical, comfortable and easy to drive, but sluggish performance. To overtake you need to antecipate over a long period, as it's a Diesel with no turbo model.

Performance: 2/5Braking: 4/5Handling: 3/5

Other-reg Petrol, Owner for Less than a year

The polo is an excellent commuter car for me and a good second car for family use when my wifes car is off the road. Very good handling and reliable.

Performance: 2/5Braking: 4/5Handling: 5/5

Other-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Great little car for a first car, and since an engine conversion and brake, suspension and drivetrain upgrades, even better!

Performance: 4/5Braking: 4/5Handling: 4/5

53-reg Diesel, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Really enjoy driving it. Would love a bigger faster car but there is no point of that in London with traffic being so bad.

Performance: 3/5Braking: 3/5Handling: 3/5

04-reg Petrol, Owner for 1 to 3 years

Excellent small car.
Nice to drive & good performance.
Great interior space for such a small car.

Performance: 4/5Braking: 4/5Handling: 4/5

2003-reg Petrol, Owner for 3 to 5 years

Have had the heater/air conditioning controls replaced as well as an engine managemnet sensor

Performance: 4/5Braking: 3/5Handling: 3/5

54-reg Petrol, Owner for More than 5 years

Very pleased with it. Happy to buy another Polo or perhaps a Golf if the budget allows.

Performance: 5/5Braking: 5/5Handling: 5/5

56-reg Petrol, Owner for Less than a year

Its a smart well built little car a little down on power but not bad for a1200cc

Performance: 4/5Braking: 5/5Handling: 5/5

09-reg Petrol, Owner for Less than a year

good to travel 14 miles a day to work and back and around town, long distance?